Now in its 121st year, the Boston Marathon starts in Hopkinton, travels through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton and Brookline before ending at Copley Square in Boston’s Back Bay.

Bureau President and CEO Pat Moscaritolo said, “The Boston Marathon and its related events provide an extraordinary kick start for our visitor season. The Boston Marathon is the premier and most beloved event in our city, and region and our community looks forward each year to welcoming runners and media from around the world.”

Race officials from the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) estimate 30,000 runners will official participate in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 17, and 10,000 runners in the B.A.A. 5K race and other local activities. In addition, 1,000 members of the media from 200 outlets are covering this year’s race.

Nam Pham, Assistant Secretary of Business Development and International Trade, said, “The Boston Marathon benefits hundreds of small businesses, who welcome the runners and spectators from 99 countries and all fifty states along the 26.2 mile route. In addition, the global media coverage of the race sheds a positive spotlight on Massachusetts as a place to live, visit, study, or start a business.”

Tom Grilk, Chief Executive Officer of the B.A.A., said, “Nearly everyone involved in the events of the week – from 40,000 athletes in the Boston Marathon and B.A.A. 5K, to the hundreds of thousands of spectators that line the course, and more than 9,500 volunteers – will patronize local businesses throughout Greater Boston.”

Last year, the 2016 Boston Marathon generated $188.8 million (USD) and had an entry field of 30,816 athletes.

Shannah McArdle, Director of the Massachusetts Sports Marketing Office, said, “Massachusetts is rightly hailed as the state of champions, given its longstanding athletic success in amateur, collegiate and professional sports. The Boston Marathon strengthens our marketing brand and attracts other sporting events to come to Massachusetts.”